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When my now grown grandsons were young boys, my oldest son picked up a small rowboat so he could take them fishing.  The boat was put in the back yard and the plans made for their first day out, but without a date certain. 

Every day the boys would ask, “Are we going fishing today?”.

“Not today.  I’m in the middle of a big job,”  was the reply.

“So when?  When are we going?” they would persist.

“It won’t be long.  We will go, I promise, as soon as this job is done.  I’ll take a day off.” Russ wasn’t lying to his son and nephew. He simply did not know how long this recently contracted job would take.

That was not a satisfactory answer for the boys, and they grew more dissatisfied after having endured four or five long, grueling days of not being able to enjoy that boat.  “When this job is done,” simply was not soon enough.  That decision was reached at a time when I just happened to be there.

Sitting near a window I could hear them talking to each other outside, but not clearly enough to make out the conversation.  I didn’t know what they were involved in back there, but whatever it was they certainly were being noisy.  Loud knocking and banging made me wonder if they were tearing down the house.  Of course not.  Maybe building a fort?  That would be more like it.  Instructions were shouted one to the other accompanied by a slam here and there.  Finally, a triumphant shout, “Yeah!”

Good for them, I thought.  They did whatever it was they were trying to do.  I headed to the patio door to see what all the excitement was about.  Oh no they did not. 

There they were, beaming with pride.  Their victory shouts and the slap of their high-five was likely heard down the entire street.  My laughter was met with smiles as bright as the sun when they saw me walk out the door toward them.  They sat as kings on a throne in that boat – in the pool.

Our impatience as children of God is not by any means a new topic.  It is taught often.  It is preached often.  Multitudes of devotionals, encouragement cards, memes, and gift items are produced each year to address patiently waiting for God’s perfect timing.  Still, we struggle.

Learning that Biblical patience actually means to wait with joyful expectation doesn’t help matters much.

We need it now.  We want it now.  In fact, we wanted it yesterday.  Now isn’t even soon enough.  When we get tired of waiting we are prone to take matters into our hands.  Not a good idea.  The next thing you know, the boat is in the pool instead of in the lake where it belongs.  How many of us have looked back and said, “If only I had waited and let God work it out”?

So here we are again addressing the weight of the wait.  It is sometimes difficult because the answer or fulfillment we are waiting for may be a matter of dire importance.  If only I had a dollar for each time I’ve said, “God, I’m standing between the Egyptian army and Red Sea! This would be a real good time for you to do something.”  We have to trust that God is well aware of every detail of every situation.  He won’t be late. 

As for the things we simply desire, like a fishing trip in a row boat, He knows exactly how to work it out where we get those things in the best condition and most opportune time where we will appreciate and enjoy them to the fullest.  But when we grow impatient and take things into our own hands, things rarely turn out the way we hoped.

Sometimes we can cause serious problems.  Miserable marriages or divorce.  Failed businesses.  Unfruitful ministries.  Extreme debt.  Worst of all – diminished faith in God and joy of the Lord.  Simply because we grew impatient and decided to work it out our own way by our own strength. 

Fortunately, my grandsons’ stunt that day did no harm.  Still, they worked much harder than they did on the days they went fishing with the adults.  The dads did the heavy lifting.  And after all that hard work that day, they were confined to a small pool void of any fish life.  Dads were able to get them to the large, beautiful lakes in our town where fish abound.  In their own power, the boys remained under a screen.  When their promise was at last fulfilled by fathers, their view was the sunrise reflecting on the water and the blue skies that followed. 

You see, my grandsons didn’t have the resources they needed to bring their desire to pass the way they wanted.  Neither of them were near old enough to drive.  Neither owned the truck or trailer that could get them to the lake.  Impatience caused them to settle that day.  Oh yes, they enjoyed a temporary victory and applauded themselves for their accomplishment.  But it didn’t take them long to figure out that the boat was not much fun in the pool.  As a matter of fact, the pool was more fun without the boat because the boat took away much of their swim and play area.  God never runs shy of resources. 

How much more stress and strain we bring into our lives when we don’t wait patiently for God to answer our prayers in His perfect timing, and how much more disappointing is the end result.   The next time you feel yourself growing impatient try this:  Ask God if there is, indeed, anything you are doing or not doing that is holding up progress.  Take your time with this.  If there is, He will show you.  He will reveal it in some way.  If that be the case, by all means obey.  If not, then ask yourself this question, “Do I really want a premature baby?” 

It takes nine months, many of which are uncomfortable, for a baby to come to full term.  Most mothers want their baby to be born as soon as they learn of the pregnancy.  They just can’t wait.  But they are willing to wait, even if it is weighty and uncomfortable.  Why?

Premature babies require much more care than those who make it full term.  And to the heartbreak of many parents, some don’t make it home at all.  Their life is cut short. 

I know that’s not what you want.  That marriage, that business, that ministry, even that vacation or that new car – you want it to be just as close to perfect as it can be.   Only God can do that.

He knows the best time.  He knows the best way.  He never runs shy of resources.  Trust him.  Be patient.  No boats in the pool.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:  Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV
God certainly does everything at just the right time. But we can never completely understand what he is doing.   Ecclesiastes 3:11 ICB

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Habakkuk 2:3 KJV

...imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12(b), NKJV

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